From the founding of the University, the Libraries’ collections have been enriched by generous gifts of books and other materials. The University Libraries welcome such gifts when they support the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service.

TERMS OF ACCEPTANCE

Gifts are evaluated by the same standards used to evaluate new additions to the collections. Gift materials that do not meet the Libraries’ criteria may be sold or discarded. Upon receipt, all gifts become the property of the University Libraries. The Libraries reserve the right to retain or reject gift materials and to determine location and conditions of use.

DONATION GUIDELINES

The University of Alabama Libraries generally does not accept the following materials:

· Duplicates of materials already in the Libraries’ collections

· Textbooks (see the Libraries’ textbook policies)

· Scientific and technical materials more than 10 years old, unless of historical significance

· Single or scattered issues of newspapers, magazines, or scholarly journals

· Outdated media formats

· Photocopies

· Popular books and magazines (i.e., Time, National Geographic, Good Housekeeping)

· Items in poor physical condition including those with loose bindings, brittle paper, or heavy annotations

· Dirty, moldy, mildewed, or insect infested items

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Libraries will acknowledge gifts and place a bookplate in each item added to the collection at the request of the donor. Requests for memorial inscriptions on bookplates will be accommodated whenever possible.

TAX INFORMATION & APPRAISALS

The Library cannot appraise gifts made to it. Gifts may be considered non-cash donations under IRS regulations; however, these regulations are complex and donors may wish to consult a tax, legal or accounting professional.

IRS regulations and The University of Alabama policies prohibit the Libraries from providing appraisals or from advising on appraisals of gifts. Donors may wish to read IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions and/or IRS Publication 561 Determining the Value of Donated Property and/or consult with an attorney or an accountant.

The American Library Association’s Rare Books and Manuscripts webpage contains helpful information for identifying and valuing rare and old materials along with tips for locating booksellers who perform appraisals. http://www.rbms.info/index.shtml

American Book Trade Directory, which has a section entitled “Appraisers of Library Collections” arranged by state. Current volume in Gorgas Reference, Z475.A5